SAMBA BEATS

Capello a thief, says MP

Moscow: Fabio Capello has been branded a “thief” by Russian MP Vladimir Zhirinovsky, who has demanded the Italian appears before parliament to explain Russia’s early exit, and turgid performances, at the World Cup.

Zhirinovsky, head of the Liberal Democratic party and Russia’s most controversial politician, stated Capello should be fired if he refuses to attend. “We need to look into his work and ask him to resign,” said Zhirinovsky.

No sale

Bogota: Colombia will ban the sale of flour and shaving foam in Bogota for the quarter final World Cup clash with hosts Brazil, with thousands expected on the streets and passions running high in the football-mad country.

Colombians often celebrate by dousing people in shaving cream or making flour ‘bombs’, but police, who will be out in force for the game on the streets of the capital, want to stamp out the practice because it can lead to fights.

On song

Rio de Janeiro: Pop star Shakira will perform before the World Cup final in Rio de Janeiro on July 13, headlining a closing ceremony that includes guitar virtuoso Carlos Santana and rapper Wyclef Jean.

Shakira, who is making her third straight World Cup appearance, will sing “La la la (Brazil 2014)” with Brazilian star Carlinhos Brown, Fifa said in a statement on Wednesday.

For Pele

Sao Paulo: Surprise World Cup quarter-finalists Costa Rica sought inspiration from Pele on Wednesday as they prepared for their World Cup quarter final against the Netherlands.

The Ticos, enjoying their best-ever World Cup campaign, spent the afternoon visiting Pele’s museum in Santos, hoping that his influence might rub off on them when they face the Dutch in Salvador on Saturday.

US interest

Washington: The USA football team may have lost in the pre-quarter finals, but it evoked “unprecedented” appetite for the game in the country that could see it bid for the 2026 World Cup, according to media reports.

“I think after 2022, they have an interest in hosting the 2026 World Cup,” Fifa Secretary General Jerome Valcke said.

Not again

Accra: Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah will not call up Kevin-Prince Boateng in the future after their World Cup bust-up. Back home after Ghana’s elimination, Appiah said Wednesday he would only select players who are “disciplined, committed and ready to die for the country” and that Boateng is not “part” of his plans.